Flush-tank valve of the diaphragm type.



G. H. ZWERMANN.

FLUSH TANK VALVE 0F THE DIAPHRAGM TYPE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 3. 1913.

1,097 ,501. Patented May 1.9, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

COLuMmA PLANOQRAPH co.. WASHING-rum u4 cA G. H. ZWERMANN.

PLUSH TANK VALVE oF THE DIAPHRAGM TYPE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.3,1913.

1,097,501 Patented May19,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CARL ZWERMANN, GF KALMAZGO,

MICHIGAN.

FLUSH-TANK VALVE OF THE DIAPHRAG-M TYPE.

Application filed December 3, 1913.

To all @07mm it may concern Be it kno-wn that l, Gann H. ZwnnMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful improvements in lllush- Tank Valves ot the Diaphragm lype, oi which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to improvements in flush tank valves of the diaphragm type.

The objects of the invention are: llirst7 to provide a flush valve ot the diaphragm type which is operated by direct mechanical connection to the valve lid. Second, to provide a valve ot this type which will operate eilectively when the flush tank is only partially filled.

Further objects and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear trom the detailed description to follow.

1 accomplish the objects o1 my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment oi my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of 'this specification, in which- Figure l is an elevation of my improved valve shown in connection with a lllush tank2 part of which is broken away for convenience of illustration. Fig. Il is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the valve struct-ure. Fig. Ill is a transverse sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 1l. Fig. 1V is a sectional view on line i-fl of Fig. ll, a part of the supporting ring being broken away. Fig. V is an elevation ot a modilied form of construction, partl oct' the ilush pipe being broken away to show details ot the lever and connections. Fig. VI is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. V, showing in detail, the connection of the operating lever.

ln the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends ot the section lines.

Considering the numbered parts ot the drawing, 1 is the outer flush tank casing which is provided with the top 2 and in which the inner casing 3 is sup sorted. 4L

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1914.

serial No. 804,428.

is the supply valve which is controlled by the float 5, all in the usual or any desired form.

Disposed in a suitable opening in the bottom of thc tank is the coupling- 9 provided with the valve seat 9 at its upper end. This coupling is provided with a number ot radiating arms, having the u ijistanding projections 10 to which the ring S is integrally secured. A

'i' is the dome shaped upper casing providcd at its periphery with an annular flange resting upon said ring and secured thereto.

15 is a diaphragm of sheepskin or other pliable material secured at its periphery between the flange ot the casing 7 and said ring 8, by the screws 11 which hold these parts together. These two parts form a chamber ot which the diaphragm valve is the movable lower wall.

Opening out of and secured to the upper central part of the casing i' is the siphon column G which is sealed at its upper end. The diaphragm valve comprises the diaphragm 15 and the disks 13 and 1G disposed above and below the same. The disk 13 is provided at its center with an upstruck annular flange.

2 is the siphon discharge pipe to which is secured, at its lower end, a screw threaded coupling 12 which is threaded into corresponding screw threads in the flange on the disk 13. The lower end of this -coupling passes through the disk 18 and an opening in the diaphragm 15 and projects beneath the same through an opening in disk 16.

1S is the lower section oi the discharge pipe to which is secured the coupling 17 which threads upon the screw threaded end o1 the coupling 12 on the pipe 12, and. clamps the parts of the diaphragm valve together. r1`his provides a water tight joint through which the siphon discharge pipe 12 passes.

The disk 13 is provided with a number oi upstruck projections 14 which engage the top of the casing 7 when the valve is lifted so as to prevent the disk 13 from sealing the upper part of the chamber. The siphon discharge pipe 1Q extends upwardly into the siphon column (i and terminates near the top of the latter.

The chamber 7 is provided with a somewhat restricted inlet opening 7 and with a suitable opening through which the operating rod 19 passes, which opening might be sufiiciently large to serve the purpose of opening 7. This rod is secured to the upper disk of the diaphragm valve and it is lifted by means of the link 2Ov connected thereto and connected at its upper end to the operating lever 21 which is manipulated by means of a handle 22.

In Figs. V and VI I have shown a moditication in which the valve is operated from beneath. In this form, a rod 19 is secured to the lower disk and is provided with the laterally offset end engaging in a slot 27 in the upper end of the link 27. A stuffing box 24 is provided in the side wall of the flush pipe 23 and an operating shaft 25 is journaled in said stuiiing box. 0n the inner end of said operating shaft is secured the crank arm 26 which is connected to the lower end of the link 27. 22 is a handle for operating the same which is secured 0n the outer end of the crank shaft.

From the description of the parts given above the operation of the valve will be very readily understood. Normally the water in the tank is kept at a level below the top of the siphon discharge pipe 12, and the siphon column 6 is filled to a point at a level with the water in the tank. When the diaphragm valve 15 is lifted, the water in the chamber 7 is forced up into the siphon column 6 so as to raise the level of the water therein above the top of the siphon discharge pipe 12. It will be seen that the siphon column 6 and the discharge pipe 12 together form a siphon in which the column 6 corresponds to one leg of the ordinary U- shaped siphon and the discharge pipe 12 corresponds to the other leg. When the water is forced up in the column G above the level of the pipe 127 the siphon will be started and it will continue to flow until the water in the tank falls below the level of the opening 7. rIhe result of this siphon action is to draw all the water out of the chamber as fast as it flows into the same. As a result, the pressure of the water in the tank outside will hold the diaphragm 15 away froml the valve seat 9 so that the valve will he kept open until the tank is empty. The projections let prevent the disk 13 from engaging snugly against the top of the casing 7 and sealing the bottom of the siphon.

It will readily be seen that instead of using the float 5 and the valve l for keeping the level of the water in the tank normally below the top of the siphon discharge pipe 12, these parts might be dispensed with. In this case, the action of the valve would be automatic, and when the water in the tank had risen to a level above the top of the discharge pipe 12 the siphon would be started automatically and would suck up the water from the chamber so as to lessen the pressure therein and cause the diaphragm 15 to be lifted by the pressure of the water in the tank. As a result, the flush valve would be operated automatically as soon as the water had risen to a predetermined level in the tank.

It is immaterial whether I operate the valve from above or below and in Fig. I, I have shown the valve as operated from above, while in Figs. V and VI, I have shown the same as operated from below. It will be noted in Fig. I that there is a. loose connection between the link 20 and the operating rod 19 so that the link 20 may drop back into position while the rod 19 and the valve 1S are held in an elevated position. The same is true of the modification shown in Figs. V and VI, in which, on account of the slot 27, the link 27 may drop back into its normal position while the rod 19 is held lifted.

I am aware that the particular emboc in ments which I have here shown Vare susceptible of considerable variation without departing from the spirit of my invention and I, therefore, do not wish to be restricted to the same. I-Iowever, I have found that these particular embodiments are to be preferred and I desire to claim the same specically as well as broadly, as indicated by my appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

1. In a valve of the class described, the combination of a valve sea-t; ring integral with said seat; discharge openings between said ring and said seat; a chamber having a restricted inlet supported on said ring; a siphon column extending upwardly from said chamber and sealed at its upper end; a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber and normally engaging said valve seat, said valve comprising a diaphragm; a disk disposed above said diaphragm; a plurality of projections struck up from said disk, and a disk disposed beneath said diaphragm; a siphon discharge pipe projecting into said siphon column, having its lower end threaded into said upper disk and passing through said disk and said diaphragm; a lower discharge pipe coupled to the lower end of said siphon discharge pipe and clamping said disk to said diaphragm; a rod connected to said diaphragm valve; and means for lifting said rod, all coacting substantially as described for the purpose speciiied.

2. In a valve of the class described, the Combination of a valve seat; a suitably supported chamber having a restricted inlet opening; a siphon conmn extending up- `wardly from said chamber and sealed at its hoewel upper end; a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber and normally engaging said valve scat; said valve comprising a diaphragm; a disk disposed above said diaphragm; a plurality of projections struck up from said disk and a disk disposed beneath said diaphragm; a siphon discharge pipe projecting into said siphon column, having its lower end threaded into said upper disk and passing through said disk and said diaphragm; a lower discharge pipe coupled to the lower end of said siphon discharge pipe and clamping said disk to said diaphragm; and means connected to said diaphragm valve `for raising the same; all coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

8. In a valve of the class described; the combination of a valve seat; a suitably supported chamber having a restricted inlet opening; a siphon column extending upwardly from said chamber and sealed at its upper end; a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall ot said chamber and normally engaging said valve seat, said valve comprising a diaphragm and a disk disposed above said diaphragm, having a plurality of projections struck up therefrom; a siphon discharge pipe projecting into said siphon column, having its lower end secured to said disk and passing through said disk and said diaphragm; means for clamping said disk to said diaphragm; and means connected to said diaphragm valve for raising the same, all coacting substantially as described lor the purpose specified.

1l. ln a valve of the class described, the combination of a valve seat; a suitably supported chamber having a restricted inlet opening; a siphon column extending upwardly from said chamber and sealed at its upper end; a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber and normally engaging said valve seat, said valve comprising a diaphragm and a disk dis posed above said diaphragm; a siphon discharge pipe projecting into said siphon cole umn; having its lower end secured to said dis r and passing through said disk and said diaphragm; means for clamping said disk to said diaphragm; and means connected to said diaphragm valve for raising the same; all coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

5. ln a valve of the class described, the combination of a valve seat; a suitably supported chamber having a restricted inlet opening; a diaph agm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber and normally engaging said valve seat; a siphon column extending upwardly from said chamber and sealed at its upper end; a siphon discharge pipe project-ing into said siphon column carried by said diaphragm valve and passing therethrough; and means connected to said diaphragm valve :tor raising the same; all coacting substantially as described for the purpose speciiied.

G. In a valve of the class described, the combination oi' a valve seat; a suitably sup ported chamber having a restricted inlet opening; a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber and normally engaging said valve seat; a siphon column extending upwardly from said chamber' and sealed at its upper end; a siphon discharge pipe having its upper end opening into the upper part of said siphon column; and means connected to said diaphragm valve for raising the same, whereby the level of the water in said column is raised above the upper end oit said siphon discharge pipe to start the siphon, all coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

7. ln a valve 0i2 the class described, the combination oi a valve seat; a chamber having a restricted inlet opening therein; a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber and normally engaging said valve seat; a siphon discharge pipe having its upper end opening into said chamber near the top thereof; and means connected to said diaphragm valve for raising the same, whereby the level oi' the water in said chamber is raised above the upper end of said siphon discharge pipe to start the siphon; all coacting substantially as described for the purpose specified.

8. ln a valve ot the class described, the combination ot a valve seat; a chamber having a restricted inlet opening therein; a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber and normally engaging said valve seat; a siphon discharge pipe having its upper end opening into said chamber near the top thereof; a rod connected to the upper surface ot said diaphragm valve; and means for lifting the same; all coacting sub stantially as described for the purpose specified.

9. In a valve ot' the class described, the combination oil a valve seat, a suitably supported chamber having a restricted inlet opening, a diaphragm valve forming the bottom wall of said chamber normally engaging said seat, a siphon column extending upward from said chamber and sealed at its upper end, a siphon discharge pipe opening into said chamber having its upper end extending into said column and its lower end extending through said valve and means to actuate said diaphragm to cause the water to rise in said water column whereby the level in the water column is raised above the upper end of the siphon discharge pipe; all coacting as specified.

l0. rlhe combination with a liquid-coa taining receptacle having an outlet connection presenting a valve seat, a casing connected to said outlet connection and having a port opening into the receptacle, a valve formed as a diaphragm constituting Va part of said easing` and adapted to eopeiatewith said valve seat, said valve exposed to pressures in said casing and said receptacle, a Siphon constituted by two pipes one Within the othei"7 the outer' pipe in Communication with said easing and the innei` pipe being connected to and passing through said Valve and a manually operaole device having,` an operative connection with said Valve.

ln Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two Witnesses.

@aan n. ZWERMANN. [L s] Witnesses LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, ANNIE E. ARRY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

